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While it's nearly the end of the greatest competition on the planet, speculations still follow on who might be the Golden Ball winner at the FIFA World Cup 2018. While many obvious choices failed to shine, many others stepped up to the spotlight.
Some may have revived their career while some have announced their arrival on the grandest stage of them all. But some of them shone better than the rest. Those few might just be the best player of the World Cup.
So, without further delay, these are my top 5 picks for the Golden Ball winner.
#5 Eden Hazard
At number 5, we have the Belgian forward Eden Hazard.
He has done what was expected from him. He has scored a couple of goals and assists. But that alone doesn't justify the reason for him to be in this list.
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He has kept the defenders busy whenever the ball has been passed on to him. He has also given out chances to his teammates to go up in attack whenever he was given the ball as the defenders were more likely to target him.
Hazard had 5 shots on target among the 15 he had taken so far. Adding on, he has played 428 minutes and gave out 174 successful passes. He has also covered a total of 28.97 mile on foot.
#4 Kylian Mbappe
The French prodigy Kylian Mbappe is fourth on the list.
Mbappe has justified his name as one for the future in this tournament. He has dazzled us with his sprints at lightning speed and the ability to trouble opposing defense.
He also became France's youngest goal scorer when he scored the decider against Peru. He was also seen leading the offensive charge several times this World Cup -- most notably against Argentina and Belgium -- even though he didn't score against Belgium.
Mbappe has taken 6 shots thus far, among which 5 were on target and 3 had hit the back of the net. He has also given out 110 passes and covered a total distance of 26.84 mile
#3 Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has had an astounding season. Although the latter part of the season was overtaken by a particular Egyptian, he had a wonderful season nevertheless. Usually attacking midfielders win the Golden Ball, so if we take that in count, he's in a good position to win it perhaps. Although Belgium leaving at the semis had damaged his chances to win it, he still has another match to prove himself.
He has taken 10 shots so far among which 3 were on target and scored a goal as well. He has completed 217 passes and has 1 assist to his name. He has also covered 33.54 mile on foot.
#2 Antoine Griezmann
On the 2nd spot is Antoine Griezmann.
He has been spectacular for France so far. He has contributions everywhere, literally everywhere! Griezmann has remained crucial to the French attacking set-up. His versatility and industriousness has proven that his country comes first for him, while putting aside his personal ambitions on various occasions. He has also led them in crucial moments.
The Frenchman has taken 19 shots among which 9 were on target and 3 were scored. He has also completed 171 passes and has assisted 2 times.
He has been brilliant from set-pieces. Adding to it, he is the only forward in the tournament to have more than 20 recoveries leaving behind the likes of Umtiti, who's a defender.
#1 Luka Modric
At the first spot, we have Luka Modric.
Very few people would have predicted Modric to be in this spot at the start of the World Cup. We all know Modric is a good player and probably one of the best in his position.
But could anyone truly have predicted him to have such a great World Cup? Modric is a creative genius, leader of men and all-round great player. Although the Croatians have played more as a group rather than depending on an individual, it's his hard work and dedication that has seen them dominating in every game they have played.
His stats reflect very little of how much impact he has on the game. He has taken 10 shots so far, 4 of them were on target and 2 of them found the back of the net. He has also played for a staggering 604 minutes so far and covered 39.17 miles on ground. He has completed 368 passes and has an assist to his name.
It's safe to say that if Croatia wins the final, Modric might just win the Golden Ball.
